[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If they're actually not increasing payroll - or, even worse, trimming - it's a tragedy. Without explanation. Inexcusable. Glass regressing significantly in his ability to balance short-term profit with long-term value.

They should spend intelligently. Not wildly... but intelligently.

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Speaking of that, here's an outside-the-box idea that sprung up while checking out MLB Trade rumors...

The Mets are desperate to unload Jay Bruce. They want relief help. They aren't willing to take on Bruce's salary to dump him for prospects.

I'd propose swapping Joakim Soria - who, while he blew several games last year, still stacks up favorably in overall results and yearly salary with most of the guys remaining on the free agent market - for Bruce.

Now, that means taking on additional 2017 payroll - Bruce is making $13 million, vs. $8 million for Soria. But you still come out $5 million ahead over the next two years + Soria's buyout.

Plus, the Royals have trimmed some payroll in swapping Davis for Bruce.

It would reduce some of KC's flexibility with the DH - basically, one of Cain, Bruce, Gordon or Soler would be DHing every day, and you'd need more Cain in CF... but it sure might help the offense to add a LH bat who has been very good against RHP in his career - .872 OPS last season, .817 over his career.

I don't love Bruce by himself, but 400 ABs of .800+ OPS against righthanders is intriguing when paired with dumping Soria's contract.

Can somebody get GMDM's e-mail address to Duncan?